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"The players were really engaged by talking to him. He gave some great messages," forwards coach Steve Borthwick said.

"He spoke about the traits in the highly successful teams he has been a part of, which are consistent with the type of thing we talk about: the competitiveness, the drive in training, players taking responsibility.

"We spoke about the leadership density, and he spoke about the strength of that within the teams he has been part of. All the successful teams have had a great group of leaders. That's something we're well aware of and continue to try and develop."

Meanwhile Bale brought the life of Welsh rugby legend Ray Gravell to a makeshift stage in the away dressing room of the Principality Stadium for most of the Wales squad to enjoy.

The actor has been performing the role in Owen Thomas' play about the Llanelli Scarlets centre, who was renowned for his patriotism, for more than four years.

"The play was very good. It was powerful and the boys that went certainly enjoyed it," said wing George North. "It definitely showed the pride Grav had and we all have in Wales. [forwards coach] Robin McBryde and Ken Owens were both crying."

McBryde said the play had put the squad in the right frame of mind at the start of a vital week in their Six Nations campaign.

"We should have played straight after the performance to be honest with you. It has really put us in a good place mentally," he said. "If we can in any way match Gareth's performance on Saturday, it doesn't matter if the roof is open or closed, there will only be one result.

"It was good for some of the players to listen in about one of the best and most passionate rugby players that Wales has produced."

England and Wales are the only two teams to have won their opening two games in the Six Nations and the winner in Cardiff will be odds-on favourite to take the title in March.